Monday, April 26, 2010

Miami Dolphins: Apr. 26 news and notes

Here are some of the Miami Dolphins-related news items floating around today:

After months of anticipation, the New England Patriots officially released outside linebacker Adalius Thomas on Monday. Signed to a five-year, $35 million contract with $20 million guaranteed in 2007, Thomas was a disappointment in three seasons with the Patriots, recording 14.5 sacks and clashing with head coach Bill Belichick on multiple occasions. Many are suggesting the Dolphins could pursue Thomas, including ESPN's Adam Schefter and Boston Globe reporter Albert Breer. and I am as strong an advocate as any for the move. Miami desperately needs a veteran linebacker to join Charlie Anderson, Cameron Wake, and rookie second-round pick Koa Misi. While some have suggested an ex-Ravens reunion with Rex Ryan and Bart Scott in New York, Miami can offer him a bigger role. The Dolphins also have their connections to Thomas, as new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan coached Thomas in Baltimore from 2002 to 2004.

Former Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick, 23, has been offered a tryout with the Dolphins at their upcoming rookie minicamp this weekend. Dick went undrafted in 2009 and tried out with the New York Jets at their rookie minicamp last May. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Dick (why is everyone snickering?) threw for 5,856 yards and 47 touchdowns with 34 interceptions. Not much of a pro prospect, Dick has not received and is unlikely to receive a contract offer from the Dolphins, but rather will simply be tasked with throwing passes to the other offensive players attending the minicamp. There is a little bit of familiarity here, as Dolphins quarterbacks coach David Lee was an offensive assistant for the Razorbacks from 2006 to 2007.

Guard Shawn Murphy was one of six players released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers today. The Dolphins' fourth-round pick out of Utah State in 2008, Murphy was largely a disappointment in Miami and was inactive for all 22 games (21 regular season, one postseason) with the team before his release last October.

As both a Dolphins' fan and aspiring sports journalist, I found it interesting how Jeff Irelandexplained his seemingly positive comments about Gibril Wilson in February prior to his release. Ireland was quoted at the NFL Scouting Combine as saying, "I think he's going to be a good player in the future." The local media took his words to mean Wilson was sticking around, but as Ireland pointed out, he never said Wilson was going to be a good player in Miami.

Ireland told reporters to "stay tuned" regarding the status of guard Justin Smiley, who has been on the trading block over the last month. The Dolphins drafted his long-term replacement in the third round of this year's draft in Ole Miss' John Jerry, so I can't imagine the Dolphins are going to bring Smiley back at his current contract. Expect him to either take a pay cut, or, much more likely, be released.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Omar Kelly looks at the Dolphins' current projected depth chart, although it does not include any of the undrafted rookies.

Mike Berardino is perplexed as to why the Dolphins' failed to address the tight end position in this year's draft, but suggests a reunion with veteran David Martin could be on the horizon. Waived from injured reserve last December, Martin was a strong backup for the team in 2008 with 31 catches for 450 yards and three touchdowns.